Sorting-machine.



H. HOLLERITH.

SOHTING MACHINE.

.M. 6 W 7 1 a M =w Patented Aug. 21, 1917.

QSHEETS-SHEET I.

BY W W ATT NEYS H. HOLLERITH.

, SORTING MACHINE. 1,237,646. APPLICATION FILED AUG. 9, 1912. PatentedAug. 21,1917.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

H HOLLERITHL SORTING MACHINE.

7 1 9 1 L! 2 2w u A M n 6 t 8 P 9 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

' INVENTORY WW/55 57 m NEY WITNESSES H. HOLLERITHH.

SORTING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED Auels. 1912.

Patented Alig. 21, 1917.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

H. H-OLLERITH.

SOHTING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED 6 9.1912.

Patented Aug. 21, 1917. 7

9 SHEETSSHEET 5.

a &\m.\ 1 m Km H. HOLLERITH. .SORTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.9,1912{ Patented Aug. 21, 1917.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 7 MN b N mu $9 WITNESSES H HOLLERITH.

SORTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-9| 1912.

- Patented Aug. 21, 1917.

9 SHEETSSHEET 8.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 9.

INVENTOR H. HOLLERITH.

sommc MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED AUG-9. 1912.

Patented Aug. 21, 1917.

i [BY ATTERNEYS ing stations.

srArEs PATENT OFFICE.

HERMAN HoLL RIrH, or WASHINGTON, nrsrnrc'r or COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE TABULATING MACHINE COMPANY, or EAST ORANGE, N W JERSEY, A CORPORA- 'rIoN or NEW JERSEY.

SORTING-MACHINE. I

I '0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HERMAN HoLLERrrH,

'a citizen of the United States, residing at .Vashington, in the District of Columbia,

have. invented certain new and useful- Improvements 1n Sort n- -Maclnnes, of which the following is a full, clear,-and"exact description.

This invention relates to sorting machines especially adapted for use in the Hollerith tabulating system and'by which records employed in that system may be classified. These records consist, preferably, of separate cards upon which the index-points are formed by punching holes through the cards, the value or character of the item thus recorded on each card being denoted by the position of the index-point. The index points on the cards control electric circuitswhich are closed through the holes when the records are inoperative or control position; but my invention is not limited to use in any particular system or with any particular classes ofrecords or to any special arrangement of or means of forming the indexpoints or the employment of an electric circuit or circuits.

The primary objectof the present inven tion is to enable a relatively large number of record cards to be accurately and rapidly assorted or classified. According to my invention when eachrecordcard is in its control or operative position devices are set by the record, such devices determining thepoints of delivery of the cards, and remain in their set positions while the cards are in transit to the sorting stations where their delivery is completed through the instrum'entality of means controlled by the devices set by the records. After a device is set by the record of a particular card.

other cards may successively be brought into position to control other likedevices,

so that a plurality of cards may be in transit atone time to the same or diiferent sort.-

Referring to the drawings which show one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1 is a side elevation. Fig. 2 is a view of a record card. .Fig. '3 is an enlarged view of the front portion oft-he machine, but on the side opposite the side presented in Fig. 1.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Aug. 21, 1917. Application filed August 9, 1912. Serial No. 714,171.

Fig. 7 is a section on the line 7-7 as viewed in the direction as indicated by the arrow.

Fig. 8 is a sectional detail taken substantially on the line 88 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is an end view of a detail.

Fig. 10 is a top plan View with frame 19 removed therefrom, taken on the line 99 of- Fig. 4.

Fig. 11 is a cross section taken on the line 11-11 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 isa view similar to Fig. 11 showing the'mechanism in a'difierent position.

Fig. 13 is an enlargedcross section of the machine taken on the line 13-13 of Fig. 5 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows. v

Fig. 14. is a longitudinal section taken on the line 1=1-14'0f Fig. 1 and looking in the direction indicated bythe arrows.

Figs. 15 and 16 are enlarged detailed views of certain features of the mechanism.

Fig. 17 is a further detailed view.

Fig. 18 is a diagrammatic view of the electric circuits.

Vith a "iew ofconveying a better understanding of the object, function and 'operation of the machine I will refer briefly to a typical record shown in Fig. 2- arranged for use in the compilation of freight-transportation statistics. Each such recordor record card represents ,a way-bill and when properly punched contains all necessary information relating to each consignment which it is desired to tabulate. The record-card shownis provided with twelve divisions of index point positions which pro- 'vide for the following designations: (A)

the month, (B) the'day of shipment, (C)

the receiving station, the line by which (I) the weight, (J) the proportional charge, (K) advances, and (L) the prepaid charges. In addition I show at (M) what I prefer to calla split-column. The index point positions are denoted by numerals printed in columns on the cards and each division may be composed of one or more columns, or parts of columns as required. Taking divisions D and I as examples, each road or section of the road over which the shipment may be made is represented by a number. To designate the road the corresponding number is punched in division D, while the weight of each shipment may be designated in division I by punching the corresponding numerals therein. In tabulating the records the totals of weight and values are compiled or counted by suitable registering devices and in connection with such tabulation or by a distinct operatlon as will be described below, the cards, in order to obtain a proper subdivision of the data,

are sorted into groups according to the data on the cards. Thus it may be desired to obtain the total weight of shipments for a certain period and at the same time to sort or classify the records relating to these shipments according to the road or section of road over'wliich the shipments were made. IVhile it is obvious that the sorting or classifying, which is accomplished by the particular form of apparatus shown, may be under any of the divisions shown on the card illustrated in Fig. 2, at the same time, in order to avoid confusion, and with a view to abstain from any prolixity of description, I

p then be readily understo have elected to describe the operation of the machine in classifying or sorting the cards in accordance with the line or road of shipment whose data will be indicated by di vision D of the record-card. The method of classifying under any other division will from an understanding of the method of c assifying under divisionD. p

The cards having been properly punched are fed one by one into position to effect the operation of circuit controlling devices which govern the action of mechanism according to the location of the index point of each card, such mechanism subsequently controlling the deposit of the cards in the proper group. The groups are formed by depositing the cards at different-points or Y sorting stations, and for the purpose of preserving the classification effected by the machine a separate sorting station is preferably employed for each group. These stations are designated in Fig. 1 by the.letter X, and the numerals0 to .9 inclusive.

The reference numeral 10 designates a motor which serves as the prime mover to operate the sorting machine and is preferably located upon the standards 11,'the latter, four in number, supporting the frame or 15 the former serving as longitudinal guides for the lower and the latter for the upper sides of the conveyer chains 16, are supported directly from the upper member 12. The chains 16 carry a plurality of spaced-apart card holders 17 and pass over the sprocket wheels 18 at the front and over the sprocket wheels 19 at the rear end of the machine.

Near thefront portion of the machine. and properly mounted upon the channel irons 15 is a supporting frame '20 for the record-cards and their feeding mechanism. The cards are fed forwardly by the said feed mechanism at the time they issue therefrom in the same general direction of movement of the upper flight of the conveyer or traveling carrier, but the speed with which the cards issue from the feed mechanism is greater than the speed of the conveyer, thereby causing the cards to-positively engage with the latter. The number of holders or supports 17 is in excess of the number of sorting stations. The distance between the latter and the card feeding mechanism is immaterial, since when each record is in control position devices are actuated to determine its point of delivery, that is, its proper sorting station.

The cards are discharged from the feed mechanism in a plane substantially coinciding with the plane defined by the upper side of the conveyer or traveling carrier. At the beginning of the discharge of a card from the chute the holders 17, located upon the chains 16, for this particular-card will have justvpassed the mouth of the chute and inasmuch as the card is moving slightly faster than the conveyer it will overtake the holders 17 and positively engage itself beneath the spring clip thereof after which it Wlll be carried around to the station which receives all the cards having that particular record. The instrumentalities by which the cards are fed to the conveyer belt and the means for operating thelatter will now be described in detail.

As before stated the mechanism is driven by the motor 10 which connects directly with and actuatos the pulley 21 by means of a flexible belt 22 said pulley being fixed to a shaft 23 having the journals 24 and 25 (see Figs. 13 and 14:) supported by and constituting a part of the frame. Also mounted upon. the said shaft 23 is a sprocket wheel 26 over which a sprocket chain 27 is adapted to pass, said chain also passing over a second I ingly journaled upon the arm 30 to take up any unnecessary slack in the chain 27 (see Figs. '3, and 13). The gear 28 is-fixed 5 upon one end of the shaft 31 while a corresponding. gear 32 is located on the other end thereof. The wrist pins 33, 34 of these gears are connected by arms 35 and 36 to a reciprocating cross head member37 which serves to feed one card at a time from the pack 38. Meshing with and actuated by the gear 32 are two pinions 39 and 40 mounted upon shafts l1 and 12 respectivelv, said shafts in turn carrying feed-out rollers or drums 43' and H. Meshing with pinions 39 and 40 respectively are two pinions 45 and 46, the.

' former fixed upon the shaft l7 and the-latter upon the shaft 48 and upon the said shafts 47 and 48 are two feed-out rollers 49 and 50 respectively for coiiperating with the feed-out rolls 43. 4*. An idle gear 51 mounted upon a short shaft projecting from the frame 20 is also driven by the pinion 40 for rotating a gear '52 mounted upon one end of a. shaft 53 which carries an insulated drum 5-l (see Fig. 7). Engaging with this drum 54: is a plurality of friction members 55 which are adjustably mounted upon the shaft 56 the latter in turn journaled in one end of the pivoted arms 57 suitable resilient means 58 being provided to maintain the members 55 in frictional contact with drum 54. It may also'be statedat this point that the shafts 47 and 48 are journaled in pivoted arms 59 and, 60 respectively, resilient means being provided to maintaiuthe rollers -19 and*50 in frictional engagement with the rollers or drums 43 and 44 respectively 1 platform 63 and adjacent to-one end thereof is a gage-bar 64 which ,is fixedupon the" guides 65 and extends across the-frame 20 of the machine. This gage bar is so mounted that the distance between the edge ofthe adjusted to provide a slot between said plating thickness. This adjustable mechanism comprises a. bar 61. and an adjusting screw 62 therefor (see .Fig. 3). The reciprocating member or cross-head 37, which slides upon which projects beyond the face of the crosshead a distance slightly less than the thickuess-of acard. A follower plate 67 is held against the cards by means of a resilient meelumism clearly indicated in Fig. 4a Suffice to say with regard to this mechanism that -the. follower plate exerts a constant. pressure against the cards and holds them (firmly against the gage-bar 64 and the crosshead 37 so that, when the latter; haspreviously been lifted to its highest point and begins to descend the plate 66 will engage the top edge of the first car and carry it 45 platform and the said bar can be accuratelyform and bar to accommodate cards of vary-' the guides 65, is provided with a plate 66 down through the opening in front of the gage-bar 64. The card after passing partly through the said opening will be engaged by the drum 54 and friction members 55. From this point the card proceeds downwardly be- 'tween guides 68 and 69. A movable member 7 0 pivoted to the arms 71 lies normally in the path=of the card but as soonas it is engaged by the card it is moved sufficiently to lVhen contact is so made the circuit is closed,

but at the moment that the last record card is fed'from the'platform past thismember the circuit will be opened and the operation of the machine automatically discontinned Proceeding downwardly between the guides 68 and 69 by the rotation of the drum 5% and members 55 the cards are enga-ged'successively by' the drums {4.50 and t3 and 49 respectively. The gearing is so constructed, as will be apparent from'the side view of F ig. 1, that the drums 43,14, 49 and 50 revolve at aboutt-wice the speed of drum 54 and the coiiperating members l pon the driving shaft 23 is fixed a spurgear 75' (see Figs. 3, -l, 13 and H) which meshes with and actuates another gear 76 which is hired upon the shaft 77. (See Fig. 14.) Upon this shaft77are mounted the sprocket wheels '18 over which the sprocket chains 16 are adapted to pass. The opposite end of the machine is provided with corresponding sprocket gears 19 are mounted. It will therefore'be apparentthat when motion is imparted to the driy'ing shaft to operate the feed mechanism the conveyer The record cards are supported upon the it is essential that the cards be fed from thelower end' of the chute constituted by the guides 68 and 69 at a speed in excess of the speed imparted to the. conveyor. It is also essential that'the card holders 17 be slightly *in advance of the chute as the cards issue therefrom and it will" be understood that the accelerated speed with which the cards issue :from said chute .permits them to overtake and engage with the holders 17 on the 90H.

veyer. It will therefore be apparent "from the foregoing that the means for delivering I the. record to the stations comprises a single track or convever which moves or carries the cards to all of the sorting stations through a single or common path or-plane of more mento After the cards are given over to the conveyer they are transported to and deposited in one of the stations 9, 8, 7 6. 4. 3, 2, 1, 0, X, depending upon thenumeral or character punched on the different cards.

The conveyer in addition to having the card" sup'portsjor holders 17 is provided with devices which determine the pointof delivery of each record, such devices being designed to be actuated when the records are in control or operative position. In other words, the records when being fed from the pack regulate or control the position of certain devices which latter, when the records approach their proper stations, control or actuate other devices to complete the delivery of the records. According to the means shown, the conveyer chains are provided with cross-bars 79 upon which are slidable members 80 which I have denominated selectors since each is variably movable on its support, according to the location of the index-point on the respective record-card, and when positioned these selectors control the discharge of the cards into the proper sorting stations. The number of cross bars 79 is preferably slightly in excess of twice the number of sorting stations in any particular machine. Each selector 80 is free to slide the entire length of its respective supporting bar 79. \Vithout mentioning for the I moment the means for sliding the selectors let it be assumed that a record-card whose index 5 in column D has been punched therefrom is now engaged by and is passing between the conducting drum 54 and the companion members The selector for this particular card at the instant that it is engaged "by drum 54 and members 55 will be substantially in the dotted line position shown in ig. 10 in engagement with the bar 81 which makes an angle of about 45 with the cross-bars 7 9, and as the conveyer travels along the selector will be moved longitudinally of its support until freed from engagement with bar 81. The latter, which is in the path of a stud '80 depending from the selector, is carried by arms 82 and 83 mounted on a rotating shaft 84 which is suitably supported from the channel irons 15. Now as the movement of the card between drum 54 and members 55' is continued a brush 85 sooner or later makes contact with the conducting drum 54 through the indexpoint in the record card and closes a local circuit which includes a magnet 86. This magnet is provided with an armature 87 (see Figs. 4 and 13) whose upper free end normally engages with the arm 82 to maintain the bar 81 in the path of the selectors 80 but as soon as the circuit is closed in the manner above described the armature will be attracted and the bar 81 dropped out of the path of and hence out of engagement with the selector 80 whose position on its support at this instant will be substantially as indicated in full lines in Fig. 10, and thisposition, in the illustration given, will correspond to the index-point 5. The crossbars 79 are preferably located on the cardholders 17. Now the travel of both the conveyer and the card are so timed that the card holder 17, located just above the crossthe feed mechanism. It will be understood that the local circuit will be closed only momentarily after which the armature will be retracted by the spring 88 to its normal position ready to engage with and hold the arm 82 when the same is returned to its normal position. According to the means shown this return of the arm 82 is effected when extension 90 thereof is engaged by one of a series of cam surfaces 89 which preferably constitute part of the holder 17 on one of the chains 16. It follows that the bar 81 will he in the path of and in position to engage with the next succeeding selector to adjust the same along its support in accordance withthe position of the index-point in the succeeding card. For'instance, if the character 9 be punched from such succeed-. ing card a very slight movement of the selector will be effected by the bar 81 before the magnet is again excited, the armature attracted and the bar permitted to drop out of the path of the selector so as to leave the latter in the position corresponding to the index-point 9 on the record card. To take one more example, suppose the card issuing from the pack has the index-point 1 punched therefrom: In this case the selector will be moved in synchroni'sm with the movement of the conveyer,'almost to the opposite end of its support before the bar 81 is dropped out of the path of the selector by After this selector has been automatically positioned on the cross bar in accordance with the index point on the card and the latter transferred from the feeding mechanism to the card holder, the conveyer will carry the card to a position to be discharged into the station which is adapted to receive that card and all other cards similarly punched. For instance, the cards which have the index points 1 5 and 9 will be deposited in stations 1 5 and 9 respectively. In other words the positions of the selectors are determined by the index-points of the record cards, and these selectors'in turn determine the stations to which the cards will be delivered. Without going into the details thereof for the moment it may be stated that I employ mechanism adjacent each-station for removing or discharging the card from the conveyer and the particular mechanism operated by each selector will depend entirely upon the position of the said selector on its support or cross-rod 79. The particular card which I- am tracing to elucidate the operation of this feature of the invention is the one that has numeral 5 punched therefrom which by engage with the mechanism which discharges the cards from the conveyer onto the tray in station 5. v

Themec'hanism for discharging the cards from the conveyer to the trays is partly shown in Figs. 1 and 4 but a better understanding thereof will be conveyed by reference to F igs. to 16 inclusive. Located directly above each station between the upper and lower angle irons 11 and 15, and constituting a part of the frame of the machine, are crosspieces 91 (see particularly Figs. 15 and 16) the flanges of which serve as guides for the plunger rods 92. To the lower ends of these rods'a-re secured approximately horizontally disposed card discharging members 93, having each a downwardly projecting flange 94 on the forward end thereof which is moved downwardly at the proper time into the pathv of the card to release the same from the holdotally secured one end of a lever 95' the other end thereof being fixed to a shaft 96 whichis suitably jonrnaled in the frame.

. Fixed to and projecting downwardly from this shaft are a trigger 97 and an arm 98,the latter provided witha longitudinal slot 99 for the pin or stud 100 on a lever 101 the latter being pivoted at 102 to an arm 103' which is secured to the cros'spiece 91. The various triggers 97 are differently positioned on their shafts ,96, as shown in Fig. 14.

tors 80 to operate any particular card discharging mechanism. It has been assumed that the stud on the selector 80 shown on the right-hand side of Fig. 15 is in position to engage with the discharging mechanism,

and the latter is in the position, just before j being engaged by the selector 80, as llldi'.

cated by'this view. Just as the stud 80' of the selector 80 contacts with the trigger 97 and moves the same'around the axis of theshaft 96 as a center the plunger-rods 92 will be forced downwardly by means of the levers 95. The downward movementof the rods 92 positions the protruding flange 94: of themember 93 into the path of the card and positively disngages the same from its holder on the conveyer just as the card is in proper position over the tray 5. It will therefore be observed that the selecting means is operated insynchronism or timed relation with the conveyei' for controlling the operation of the means for disengaging the cards.

from the 'conv'eyer in accordance with the index-points on said cards to effect theirdelivcry to the sorting stations corresponding to said index-points. The spring 101 holds the transferring mechanism in normal position but the rapidity-with which the conveyer is operated is too great on account of the lag: in the spring to bring the parts back from the position shown in Fig. 16, and especially is this true where a series of cards is cards per minute and unless some mechanism be provided for positively and quickly returning the card discharging member 93 and its associated mechanism to normal position the succeeding card, under such a high rate of speed, may be prematurely dis- 'vchal'ged from its holders 17. Themeans for accomplishing this purpose will now'be described. It will be remembered that the movement of the trigger 97 around the axis of the shaft 96 as a centerpi'oduces a downward movement of the rods 92. This movement of the trigger 97 imparts an upward movement to the arnr 98 and the latter in turn' causes one end of the lever 101 to move into the path of the cam surface 89 projecting upwardly from the card holder 17 As soon as this cam surface contacts with'lever 101 (Fig. 16) the lower end thereof is camined upwardly and owing to the connection between the stud 100, arm 98, shaft 96, lever 95 and rod 92 the card discharging member is instantly returned from its lowered position, The trays are located upon suitable standards 106' an 107 which are connected at their lower e ds to a member 108 this memher in turn being connected to a spring 109 Hence the reason for positioning the selecwhich supports the tray and further connected to. a pistonfrodllQ of a piston'lll which reciprocates in the dash-pot 112. The 'dashpot prevents, a too sudden return of the tray whenever the assorted cards are removed therefrom. After. a card has been discharged from the conveyer the selector which effected such discharge and thereby completed its delivery, must be returned to jitsinitial'position on its support so that it may be again moved the necessary distance corresponding to the index-point of. the next record card whose discharge it is to control. The means for returning the selectors to their starting points or initial positions is shown in Fig. 17,. and, briefly stated, embodies a fixed member diagonally disposed in the path of the selectors so that by engaging therewith the latter will be moved ontheir supports transversely of the conveyer. This selector-returning member is shown in the form of a diagonally-disposed bar 115;;held by supports 113, 111 in the extreme rear of the machine so as to return the selectors to their starting points after they have passed the several sorting stations, but this is a matter of choice, since the bar may be located at other points.

The function of the station or compartment Z is to receive bastard cards, that is those that have no record or perforation thereon in the particular-column the indexpoints of which are designed to control the sorting of the cards. The record may have been inadvertently omitted, or cards may have been accidentally mixed with the cards that have prbper recordsv thereon, or for one reason or another the record may have been purposely omitted therefrom and it is desired to assort those that have records from those that do not have records. Or it may be that the contacts or devices controlled by the cards fail to operate properly. If a card has no perforation or record in the column for which thecontact 85 has been set, or if thecontacts fail to operate, the magnet 86 will not be energized, hence the selector-shifting bar 81 will not drop out of the path of the stud on the selector with respect to the particular card in question. Hence the selector 80 will be slid to the extreme opposite side of its crossbar 79by the shifting bar 81 and will pass through the space 150 between such bar 81 and the channel iron 15. (See Fig. 10).

i The selector will thus be in the extreme position on bar 79 indicated at 151 in Fig. 14 and operate the discharging mechanism of station Z to discharge'the bastard cards onto the tray located therein.

The brush 85 and the mechanism for sup porting it are best shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9. The member 116 upon which the brush is slidably mounted so that it may be moved longitudinally thereof, is provided with circular journals 117 bearing in the extensions 118 of the supporting frame 20. Turning of the bar 116 is effected by a handle 119 secured to one of the journals 117 at one side of its center preferably by means of a rotatable rod 119. This-rodis provided with short upwardly projecting bars 119".

adapted to take in recesses in the under face of the projecting ends of the bar 116. When the handle 119 is turned such bars 119 will effect a movement of the bar 116 relative to its journals 117. In Figs. 8 and 9 the brush is shown in operative position. If it be desired to throw the brush out of this position the handle 119 (Fig. 9) is turned to the left and this movement will effect a disengagement of the ends of the bar 116 from the slotted portion 122 of the extension 118 of frame 20. After the bar 116 has been wholly Withdrawn from the slotted portion of extension 118 continued turning of the handle will cause the bar to turn on its journals 117 and the part will assume the position shown in Fig. 4. Reverse movement of the handle will return the parts to operative position. By the mechanism described the brush is brought into actual contact with the drum by a straight line movement and not by a rotary movement' The handleis constructed of resilient material and when moved to its extreme positions will snap behind the shoulders 123 and 124 thus locking the brush in position. The member 120 serves as a conductor and is insulated from the member 116. The head of the member 120 is provided with two perforations 125 and 126 which cross each other, as shown in Fig. 8, in one of which the brush is lodged and in the other of which a pin 127 from the spring pressed plunger 128 is insertible to engage and hold the brush in adjusted relation. The tension of the spring 129 is regulated by the block 130 which is adjustable from and toward the head by means of the screw 131. Secured to the member 120, preferably at the head thereof, is a contact spring 132 which contacts, when the brush is in engagement with the drum, with the conducting bar 133 which is connected to but insulated from the frame 20. When the brush is in contact with the drum 54 the circuit is completed as follows: The current enters from the wire 134 (see Fig. 7) passes throughthe spring contact 135, then contact 136, drum 54, brush 85, member 1.20 to spring contact 132, conductor bar 133 and out to the wire 137.

Mounted upon the shaft 31 is a third spur gear 138 meshing with and actuating a corresponding gear 139 fixed to the shaft 140, also fixed to this shaft are two cams 141 and 142 (see Figs. 5 and 18) which actuate circuit controlling devices in the record-actuated circuit.' The cam 141 is adapted tow control contacts 143, 144, while the cam 142 is adapted to control contacts 145,146. The latter are closed before the contacts 143, 144, are opened.

On the box 147 (see Fig. 1) I provide contacts 156, 157, situated in the motor circuit. (See also Fig. 18). These contacts are broken by means of a partially rotatable rod 148 whenever any one of the trays 13 engages with and depresses one of the fingers 167 extending laterally from the rod, thus automatically stopping the operation of the machine.

The particular embodiment of my invention which I have selected for description andillustration is adapted and arranged for electrical operation. The circuits and connections therefor are diagrammatically represented in Fig. 18. The electrical features comprise a circuit controlled by the record cards which includes two separable contacts, one of which is the insulated conducting drum 54 supported by the frame 20. The

cards pass across this drum on their way from the stack .38 to the conveyer. Preferably this drum is graduated by lines to correspond with the division or grouping of the cards. The other contact consists of the conducting brush 85 suitably connected to the circuit and slidable onithe insulated rod 116. in position to engage with that division of the drum 51 to which it may be adjusted. 1T hese contacts are separated and this circuit is broken 'at this point'whe'n a card is in-' serted between them, and it is closed when the card is removed or when a hole in a card permits the resilient brush 85 to contact with the drum 5-1. This card-controlled circuit includes the coils of the magnet 86, the spring contacts 113, 111 and 115, 116 (which are actuated by the cam rollers 1-11 and 112 respectively), the relay magnet 152 having a conducting armature 153, the wire 137,

and the connection between the relay mag net 152 and the outlet 166. In parallel relation with the record controlled circuit is the motor circuit shown in heavy lines in Fig. 18. This 'circuit includes the relay magnet 151 having a conductingarmature coils of the relay magnet 154 attracts the- 155. and the electro-motor 10 by which the apparatus is operated. A branch circuit is also provided which includes the normally separated contact springs 73, 71 (see also Fig. 6) which'are controlled by the cards, the normally closed contact springs 156, 157 which are controlled by the number of cards in the station, and the armature 155 of the relay magnet 151. A main switch switch keys 159 and 160 are provided at any convenient points by which the motor circuit can be instantly opened and the machine stopped. 4

The operation Wlll be readily understood 162 will then pass through the contacts op-w ,erated by keys 159 and 161 to wire 163 lead ing to the motor 10'bu-t before entering the motor the current in passing through the armature 155; The current cannot pass to the coils of this magnet via wire 161 until the first card closes the contacts 73, 7-1 hence it will be necessary to hold down the key 161 until the first card engages with the member (see Figs. 4 and 6) and closes contacts 73, 74' after which the key 161' is released and the current will'tlien travel through wire 162, contact switch 158, wire 164, armature 155, coils of magnet 151, wire 165, to the motor 10 and thence to the outlet 166 through the key-,operated contact 160. 1 To stop the motor it only necessary to break the circuit that is when a compartment is filled with cards. the tray will engage with its respective finger 167 on rod 118 to break the contact at 156, 157 which is in series with the contact 73, 71, thus allowing the armature 155 to be retracted, the circuit broken at this point, and the machine automatically stopped. A part of the current passing by wire 162 will branch into the wire 168 and will traverse said wire through the spring contacts 1-13, 11-1, and 145, 116 which are arranged in parallel. The contact 115, 116 is held closed as the brush is passing over the last index point positions on the card but is automatically opened just before the card passes from under the brush 85. The

object of this is to prevent the closing of tive closing of contacts 115-1 1 6 and-is not 158 is provided at any convenient pointiin the lineand one or more normally closed made again until the succeeding'card be gins'to pass under the brush. I employ a branch wire 169 beyond the magnet 86 in vparallel with the wires connected to the conducting drum the said branch being connected to the armature 153 ofthe relay magnet 152. I employ this wire to shunt, a part of the current to prevent sparking between the, brush and drmn contact which would otherwise take place if the current necessary to operate the magnet 86were permitted to pass through said brush incidentally this connection serves-to keep the current flowing through magnet- 86 after the current through therecord-controlled contacts 5485 is interrupted by a. passing card.

' The split column (M) may serve for two ormore arbitra y designations. WVhen sort,- ing cards according to the lower series of index-point positions 0 to 5 (see Fig; 2) no changein parts is necessary as the magnet will be energized and theiproper selector set in accordance with the hole'punched in said series. Should there also be a hole punched in the second or upper series 'of' index-point positions 0 to 3 the brush 7 contact will be made as usual but-without, v

result, since the selector shifting bar is not then in position to be effective, having been of index point positions. When it is desired to assert cards according to the upper series of index-point positions the circuit through contact 14314t is broken by means of a suitable switch (Fig. 18) and the circuit passing through the contact operated by cam 170 (shown in dotted lines, Fig. 18) is closed at the moment the brush begins to pass over this designation. In sorting ac cording to the second series of index-point positions the cam 142 operates in the usual manner, but it should not close contacts 145, M6 until the last index-point position is between the brush 85 and drum 54.

The pulley 21 is provided with ratchet teeth 171 (see Figs. 3 and 13) which are engaged by an adjustable pawl 172 whenever it is attempted to operate the machine backwardly. To the pawl 172 is connected an arm 173 hung on the hub of pulley 21. A spring 175 is employed to maintain said arm in frictional engagement with a friction member 1H. Any backward movement of the machine will result in a rotative tendency of the arm 173 and cause the pawl 172.

of sorting stations, a conveyer common to all the stations, means for feeding recordcards to said conveyer, record-controlled means carried by said conveyer positioned for controlling the discharge of the cards from the conveyer, and means controlled by the last mentioned means for discharging the cardsfrom the conveyer.

2. In an apparatus for sorting recordcards according to the location of indexpoints thereon, the combination with cardfeeding means, of a plurality of sorting stations, one for each index-point position, conveying means common to all the stations, and means on said conveyer movable in synchronism or timed relation with said conveying means for effecting the discharge of the cards into the stations according to the location of the index-points, said last mentioned means being controlled by such inden-points.

3. In an apparatus for sorting recordcards, a conveyer for the cards, and means for disengaging the cards from the cof1- veyer comprising anactuating device carried by said conveyer and a device actuated thereby, one of which is variably controlled by the record-card.

4. In an apparatus for sorting recordcards, a conveyer for the cards, and means for disengaging the cards from the conveyer comprising an actuating device carried by said conveyer and a device actuated thereby, said actuating device being variably controlled by the record-card.

5. In a sorting-apparatus for record-cards having index-points thereon, a plurality of sorting stations corresponding to the indexpoint positions on said cards, means for conveying each record-card to the station denoted by its index-point including a device controlled through the instrumentality of the record of each card when in its operative position, and means controlled by said device, when the record-card approaches its station, to effect its delivery thereto.

6. In a sorting-apparatus for record-cards having index-points thereon, a plurality of sorting stations corresponding to the index- ;point positions on said cards, means for conveying each record-card to the station denoted by its index-point including a device set through the instrumentality of the record of each card when in its operative position, and means actuated by said device, when the record-card approaches its station, to efi'ect its delivery thereto.

7. In a sorting-apparatus for record-cards having index-points thereon, a plurality of sorting stations corresponding to the indexpoint positions on said cards, means for conveying each record-card to the station denoted by its index-point including devices actuated when each record is in its operative position to determine the point of delivery of the record-card, and means operated, when the card approaches such point, to effect its delivery.

8. In a sorting-apparatus for record-cards having index-points thereon, a plurality of sorting stations corresponding to the indexpoint .positions on said cards, means for conveying each record-card to the station denoted by its index-point including devices actuated when each'record is in its operative position to determine the point of delivery of the record-card, and means operated bysaid devices, when the card approaches such point, to effect its delivery.

9. In an apparatus for sorting recordcards having index-points thereon, a plurality of sorting stations, means for feeding the cards, a single path of travel for the cards between said feeding means and said sorting stations, means controlled through the instrumentality of the record of each card when in its operative position, and means controlled by the last mentioned means as a cord reaches its respective sorting station to discharge said card.

10. In an apparatus for sorting recordcards having index-points thereon, a plurality of sorting stations, means for feeding card-dischargingdevices when a card reaches the cards, a single path of travel for the card's between said feeding means and said sorting stations, means controlled through the instrumentality' of therecord of each card when in its operative position, and means operated by the last mentioned means whenthe record-card reaches its respective sorting station to discharge such card,

V ll.-In an apparatus 'for sorting recordcards having index-points thereon, a plurality of stations, a conveyer for carrying the cards to all of said stations through a common path or plane of movement, means for feeding the cards to and in engagement with the conveyer, means for disengaging the cards from the conveyer, and record actu ated means operating in' synchronism or timed relation with the conveyer for controlling the operation of said disengaging means to effect the delivery of the cards to the sorting stations corresponding to the index-points thereon. 1 12. In an apparatus for sorting recordcards having index-points thereon, a plu- 16 rality of stations, asingle path of travel for the cards to the stations, a plurality of card-discharging devices, one for each station, and devicesselected by the index-point of each card for separately controlling the its respective sorting station. f v.

'13. In an apparatus for sorting record cards having index-points thereon, a plu- ,rality of stations, asingle path of travel I for the 'cards to the stations, a plurality of a card-discharging devices, one for each sta-v tion, and devices selected by the index-point of each card for separately eactuating the carddischarging devices when a card reaches its respective sorting station;

14, In an apparatus for sorting record} 1 cards having index-points thereon, a plu-F rality of stations, means for. delivering each card to the station denoted by'the indexpoint thereon comprising a plurality of dcvices set through the instrumentality of the cards when in their operative. positions, and

a plurality 'of'means'controlled by said devices as the records reach their sorting stations. I 15, In an apparatus for sorting recordcards having index-points thereon, a plurality of stations, means for delivering each card to the station denoted bydthe indexpoint thereon comprising a plurality of. de-

vices set through the instrumentality of the cards whenin their operative positions, and a plurality of disengaging devices, one for each station, controlled by the last mentioned devices as a card reaches its respectlve sorting station.

- 16. In an apparatus for sorting recordcards having index-points. thereon, a plurality of stations, means for delivering each card to the station den ted'hy the index ing the cards to and in engagement with the conveyer, a plurality of record controlled selectors automatically actuated in timed relationwith. said conveyer, anda plurality of,

disengaging means for said cards, one for each station, and controlled separately by one of said selectorsaccording to the index point on the card.

18. In an apparatus for sorting recordcards having. index-points thereon, a plu-. rallty of stations, a conveyr for carrying the cards to all of said stations, means for means for said cards, one for each station, and means controlled by the index-points on feeding the cards'to and in engagement with g the conveyer, a [plurality of disengaging said cards for rendering said disengaging means efi'ective as a card reaches the sorting station corresponding to its index point,

19. In an apparatus for sorting recordcards having index-points thereon, the combination with a plurality of sorting stations corresponding" to the index-pointv positions on said cards, a traveling conveyor, means for feeding said cards into engagement with in synchronism or timed relation with said "10o said conveyer, adjustable selectors movable conveyer, card-discharging means controlled f by said selectors, and means controlled through the instru'mentality of acard for variably adjusting the selectors to determine the particular discharging means to-be operated to discharge a card into a station.

20.- In an. apparatus for sorting recordcards-having index-point positions thereon,

the combination with a plurality of sorting stations corresponding to the index-point positions on said cards, a traveling conveyer,

means for feeding said cards into engagement with said conveyer, adjustable selectors, card-discharging means operable by said selectors, and means controlled throu the instrumentality of a card for variab y adjustin the selectors to. determine the particular dlscharging means to operated to discharge a card into a'station.

corres ondin to the index-point positions on San! car s, of a traveling, conveyer,

J 21. In an ,ap aratus for'sorting recordcardsha'vin in ex-points thereon, the combination wit a plurality of sortmgstatlons I means for feeding said .cards into engage -ment ,with said conveyer, adjustable selectors, card-dischar g means located adjacentto each of sa d stations and controlledactuated devicescarried by last mentioned charging means controlled by said selectors, and means controlled by the conveyer for means, and means for disengaging the cards from said moving means and discharging the same into the stations corresponding to the index-points on saidcards.

23. In an apparatus for sorting recordcards having index-point positions thereon, the combination of a plurality of sorting stations, means located in accordance with the index-point ositions on the cards, a

traveling carrier or said cards, and adjustable means on said traveling carrier actuated through the instrumentality of a card for operating the aforesaid means to discharge the cards from the conveyer into said sortin stations.

24. 11 an apparatus for sorting recordcards having index-point positions thereon, the combination of a plurality of sorting stations, means comprising operating triggers located in accordance with the indexpoint positions on the cards, a traveling carrier for said cards, and adjustable means on said traveling carrier actuated through the instrumentality of a card for operating the aforesaid means to discharge the cards from the conveyer into said sorting stations.

25. In an apparatus for sorting recordcards, in combination, a plurality of sorting stations, a traveling carr1er, means for feeding the cards to said carrier, card actuated adjustable selectorsmovable in synchronism or timed relation with said carrier, card-discharging means controlled by said selectors, and means operable in synchronism or timed relation with said conveyer for returning said card-discharging means to normal position.

.26. In an apparatus for sorting recordcards, in combination, a plurality of sorting stations, a traveling carr1er, means for feedmg the cards to said carrier, card actuated ad ustable selectors movable in synchronism or timed relation with said carrier, card disreturning the discharging means ,to normal position. r

27. In an apparatus for sorting recordcards, in combination, aplurality of sorting stations, a traveling carrier, means for feedmg the cards to sa1d carrier, "adjustable selectors movable 1n synchronism or timed relation with said carrier, means controlled by said record-cards for variably adjusting the selectors, card discharging means foreach station controlled by said selectors, and means operable in synchronism or timed relation with said conveyer for returning the discharging means to normal position. v

28. In an apparatus for sorting recordcards, "the combination with card-feeding cards, the combination with a conveyer, of

' mechanism for feeding the cards to and in engagement with said conveyer, a plurality of sorting stations for said cards, means for transferring the cards from said conveyer to said sorting stations, and card controlled selectors on said conveyer for operating said means.

30. In an apparatus for sorting recordcards having index-points thereon, the com bination with a conveyer, a plurality of sorting stations, means for transferring the cards from the conveyer to'said sorting stations, selectors on said conveyer for OPGIZLlH ing said means, and record card actuated means for adjusting the selectors on said conveyer in accordance with the indexpoints on the record cards.

31. In an apparatus for sorting recordcards having index-points thereon, the combination with a conveyer, of mechanism for feeding said cards to said conveyer, a plurality of sorting stations for said cards, adjustable selectors on said conveyer, means controlled by the position of the indexpoints on the record-cards for adjusting said selectors, and means for disengaging the cards from the conveyer and transferring the same to said stations in accordance with the location of the selectors upon said con I veyer.

32. In an apparatus for sorting recordcards having index-points thereon in combination, a conveyer, means for feedln a card to said conveyer, a plurality of sorting I stations relative to which the, said conveyer is adapted to move, a selector on said conveyer, means controlled through the instrumentality of the index-point on the recordcard for adjusting the selector, and means operated by the selector for discharging the card to the sorting station in accordance with the position of the said selector on said I "conveyer. I

33. In an apparatus for sorting'record' cards having index-points thereon, in com-' bination, feeding mechanism for said cards, a conveyer, adjustable selectors on said conveyer actuated through the-instrumentality ofv the index-points on said record-cards,

sorting stations for said cards, and means operated by said selectors as the conveyer is in motion to discharge the cards into the stations in accordance with thepositions of said selectors on said conveyer.

34. In an apparatus for sorting recordcards having index-points thereon, in combination, feeding-mechanism for said cards, a travel ng carrier, selectors movable w1th and relatively to said carrier, and means for effecting such relative movement controlled by the'cards. I I I 35. In an apparatus for sorting recordcards having index-pointsv thereon, in combination, feeding-mechanism for said cards,

a traveling carrier, selectors movable with [and relatively to said carrier, means controlled by said cards for effecting such relative movement, and automatically controlled means for rendering the last mentioned means inefiective.

36. In an apparatus forsorting recordcards having index-points thereon, in combination, feeding-mechanism for the cards,

a traveling carrier, selectors movable with and relatively to said carrier, and means for effect ng such --relat1ve movement, means controlled by the record-cards for-rendering the last mentioned means ineffective.

37. In an apparatus for sorting recordcards, in combination feeding mechanism f for the cards, a traveling-carr1er,'selectors movable with and relatively to said carrier,

means the path of said selectors for effecting such relative movement,,and me as 1 controlled by the record-cards for removing the last-mentioned means out of such path been attained, I I 38. In an. a aratus for'-sorting recordwhen the necessary. relative movement has cards, in com nation, feeding-mechanism,

I v for moving the last mentioned means out .of such path,'and means'for automatically for the cards, a traveling carrier for the cards. selectorsmovable w1th and-relatively to said carrier, means in the ath of said selectors for, efl'ectin'g such re ative move-. ment', means controlled by therecord-cards" returning the selector moving means to;nor-

mal position. ,5. I I

39. In an a aratus for sorting recordcards, in com mation," feeding-mechanism for the cards; a travehn -carr1e'r for' the selectors for efi'ecting such re ative moveto said carrier, meansi n the ath of said J ment, I means controlled by the record card for moving said last mentioned means out of such path, and means movablethe" cards, selectors movable w1th and relatively carrier for returning the selector-moving ,means to normal-.posltion; "40. In an apparatus for sorting recordcards, the combination with card-feeding means, of a plurality'of sorting stations, a card conveyer, selectorsmovable in synchronism or timed relation with the conveyer,

Hand an= electro-magnet common to all the selectors for determining which station shall receive the card. I

41. In an apparatus for sorting recordcards, the combination with card-feeding means, of a plurality of sorting stations, a

card conveyer, selectors movable in synchro card conveyer, selectors carried by said conveyer, and card controlled means common to all the selectors for. determining which station shall receive the card. I w

43. In an apparatus for sorting recordcards, the combination with card-feeding means, of a plurality of sorting stations, a

card conveyer, selectors carried by said conveyer, and means comprising an electromagnet common to all the selectors for determini'ng which station shall receive the card.

- 44. In an apparatus for sorting record cards having index-points, the combination with card-feeding means, of a plurality of sorting stations, a 'card conveyer, selectors automatically positioned to correspond to the index-points on the cards, and an electromagnet common .toall the selectors for determining which. station shall receive the card. a

45. In an ap aratusfor sorting recordcards, the com ination with card-feedmg means, of a plurality of sorting statlons, a

I card conveyer, selectors movable with said conveyer, means for positionlng said selectors, and an electro-magnet for, controlling the last mentioned means for determ ning which station shall receive the card.

card conveyer, a serles of selectors movable msynchromsm with theconve er, an electromagnet common to all the se ectors for determining which station shall recelve the :cardg' an electric circuit including said mag net, and -record-controlled contacts in said circuit for'energizing said magnet.

47. In an ap aratus for sorting recordcards', the com ination with card-feedmg trolled meansfor' automatically positioning I f46. In an apparatus for sorting recordcards, the combination with card-feeding i means,-of a plurality of sorting stations, a

"means, of a plurality of sorting stations, a 1081111 conveyer, a series of selectors, card con- ,j' 

